In short
- Argentina’s president Javier Milei told the UN general assembly on 23 September 2026 that Argentina would take “matters into our own hands” in its Falklands dispute with the United Kingdom.
- Milei’s government began sanctions proceedings this month against more than 60 companies and people linked to the Sea Lion offshore oil project in the North Falkland Basin.
- In a 2013 referendum held in the Falkland Islands, 99.8% voted to remain a British territory on a turnout of 92%, with three votes against.
- The 1982 Falklands war lasted 74 days and cost the lives of 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders.
- UK prime minister Andy Burnham said Britain would defend the right of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination and to remain British.
Argentina’s president Javier Milei told the UN general assembly in New York on 23 September 2026 that his government would take “matters into our own hands” in its dispute with the United Kingdom over the Falkland Islands, the south Atlantic archipelago Argentina calls the Malvinas.
What did Javier Milei say at the UN about the Falklands?
Milei criticised the UN for inaction, saying: “An organisation that set out to defend the territorial sovereignty of its members decided to look the other way regarding the situation of the Malvinas Islands.” He said Argentina would “not remain indifferent to those who exploit resources under illegal foreign occupation”.
“Argentina is not going to sit around waiting for the UN and the international community to live up to their own mandate,” Milei told the assembly. “We’re going to take matters into our own hands.”
Milei also argued that the principle of self-determination should not apply to the islands because “the population was implanted by the occupying power on a territory whose sovereignty is in dispute”, and called on the United Kingdom to resume negotiations.
What is the Sea Lion oil project?
Milei singled out Sea Lion, a major offshore oil development in the North Falkland Basin, describing exploitation of the territory’s resources as an “unlawful act”. The Falkland Islands government approved the field development and production plans for the project, a joint venture between an Israel-based energy company and a London-listed oil and gas exploration company. Milei’s government has opened sanctions proceedings over the Falklands this month against more than 60 companies and people linked to the drilling project.
What is the UN’s position on the Falklands?
Argentina has accused the United Kingdom of flouting a 1976 UN resolution ordering both parties to desist from unilateral action on the islands. The UN does not officially recognise either British or Argentine sovereignty and maintains that the archipelago’s status remains disputed and must be resolved through bilateral negotiations; it has repeatedly invited both governments to find a peaceful solution. Argentina has also moved to file criminal charges over Falklands oil drilling.
What happened in the 1982 Falklands war?
The dispute erupted into armed conflict in 1982 after an invasion by Argentine forces. The 74-day war ended with the surrender of the Argentine forces and cost the lives of 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders.
What did the 2013 referendum show?
A referendum on the political status of the archipelago was held in the Falkland Islands in 2013. On a turnout of 92%, 99.8% voted to remain a British territory, with only three votes against.
What is the UK’s position?
Last month, US president Donald Trump said he was reviewing the United States’ neutral position on the Falklands. The issue was discussed this week in a first meeting between Trump and UK prime minister Andy Burnham. “The clear position is: we will stand firm in the face of any threats,” Burnham said. “We will defend the right of the Falkland Islanders to self-determination and to remain British.”
Frequently asked questions
What did Javier Milei say about the Falklands at the UN?
Milei told the UN general assembly on 23 September 2026 that Argentina would not wait for the UN and would “take matters into our own hands” over the Falklands, which Argentina calls the Malvinas, calling the exploitation of the islands’ resources an unlawful act.
Who governs the Falkland Islands?
The UN does not officially recognise either British or Argentine sovereignty and says the archipelago’s status must be resolved through bilateral negotiations. In a 2013 referendum, 99.8% of islanders voted to remain a British territory.
How many people died in the 1982 Falklands war?
The 74-day conflict cost the lives of 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British military personnel and three Falkland Islanders, and ended with the surrender of the Argentine forces.
What is the Sea Lion project?
Sea Lion is a major offshore oil development in the North Falkland Basin, run as a joint venture between an Israel-based energy company and a London-listed oil and gas exploration company. Milei’s government opened sanctions proceedings this month against more than 60 companies and people linked to it.
With reporting from The Guardian.
Stock image, not from the events described. City Skyline — Joe deSousa / Wikimedia Commons (CC0 1.0)
